Public Competitive Bidding for the Supply and Delivery of Various Generic Medicines for the Fourmula 1+ Botika Ng Bayan (F1+BNB) and Fourmula1+ Botika ng Bayani (F1+ BNBi) of the Department of Health (REBID)

The President says he wants P35 billion in Pagcor funds to be devoted 'exclusively' to medicines for FilipinosPia Ranada@piaranada

Published 8:51 PM, August 24, 2016, Updated 8:52 PM, August 24, 2016

TACKLING POVERTY. President Rodrigo Duterte reads the document presented by National Anti-Poverty Commission Lead Convenor Liza Maza during a post-Cabinet meeting in Malacañang Palace on August 22. Photo by Toto Lozano/PPD

"I will revive the Botika ng Bayan near government centers," said Duterte on Wednesday, August 24, during a press conference at the wake of a slain police officer in Taytay, Rizal.

The Botika ng Bayan (Pharmacy of the People) began in 2005 with the target of ensuring each city or municipality has at least one Botika ng Bayan outlet from where the community can purchase medicines most needed in the area.

To do this, the government franchises outlets to non-governmental organizations, cooperatives, trade and labor unions, corporate foundations, or religious groups.

According to the DOH, there are 16,350 outlets of Botika ng Bayan and its variants all over the country. But in 2011, the government issued a moratorium on the project due to problems with financing and restocking of medicines.Duterte plans to address at least the financing aspect by devoting Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) funds "exclusively" to medicines.